Lucy and friends are out on the playground when they spot Ava playing basketball with her cousin Jermaine, a professional…player. Jermaine calls the kids over for a lesson on the fundamentals of the game and how to play three-on-three When the kids finish, Jermaine invites them to watch him play in a pro game. Lucy, Ava and friends cheer on Jermaine and his teammates, keeping an eye out on the real court for the skills they learned at the playground. Lucy Tries Basketball is the fifth title in the Lucy Tries Sports series, following books about hockey, soccer, short track and luge. The series encourages children to get active and participate in sports and recreation. Also available in French as Lucy joue au basketball.

Ever since his mom left, Riley has been a mess. He feels nervous all the time. His heart pounds, his…neck is tight, and he can't seem to turn off his brain. His dad signs him up for aikido, hoping it will help. In the dojo, Riley meets boys who are much rougher than he is and a girl who is tougher than all the rest of them put together. For Wafaa, aikido is not her first choice. She was disqualified from competing in judo for wearing a hijab. From the first time she steps on the mat, it's clear she is far more skilled than anyone expected. Through the teachings of their sensei, Riley and his classmates come to understand that aikido is not about winning or losing or about being perfect. Sensei shows them how to tap into their inner strength and find their place in the universe. Grades 5-8. 2019.

The five friends are members of their school's swim team and are training for an upcoming meet. Along the way,…they learn about: the benefits of physical fitness, setting goals, teamwork, safety, coping skills, respect for others, nutrition as fuel for their bodies, how the body and mind work together, and much more! The book concludes with fun ideas for how kids can get their bodies moving, an index and a glossary of terms. Grades 2-4. 2018.

From the acclaimed author/artist of Beyond the Pond and Rulers of the Playground comes a breathtaking new book with a…powerful message about the environment, perfect for fans of Peter Brown’s The Curious Garden and Kadir Nelson’s If You Plant a Seed. Each day, the big trucks go to work. They scoop and hoist and push.But when Digger discovers something growing in the rubble, he sets in motion a series of events that will change him, and the city, forever."This story contains bold graphic illustrations and a wonderful message about the environment," proclaims Brightly.com in their article "18 Must-Read Picture Books of 2018."

#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica makes his return to the basketball court! There's a reason teammates call him…"True." Because for basketball phenom Drew Robinson, there is nothing more true than his talent on the court. It's the kind that comes along once in a generation and is loaded with perks--and with problems. Before long, True buys in to his own hype, much to the chagrin of his mother, who wants to keep her boy's head grounded--and suddenly trouble has a way of finding him. That is, until a washed-up former playground legend steps back onto the court and takes True under his wing. In this age of street agents promising riches to kids barely out of elementary school and college programs being taken down because of recruiting violations, True Legend is a resonant and inspiring novel in the Lupica tradition. ***"The perfect trifecta of deep knowledge and portrayal of the history and culture of basketball, keen insight into the obstacle course of motivations and temptations facing a talented young man, and perfect-pitch sports writing. . . Lupica is the greatest sportswriter for middle-grade readers, and this book, True Legend, is a reminder of his dominance."*** ?VOYA, starred review ?Lupica scores another winner with this cautionary tale. . . . Loaded with action-packed, suspenseful basketball sequences, crisp dialogue, sharply drawn characters, and keen insight into contemporary basketball culture in America, Drew’s story illuminates the realities and choices facing gifted young athletes.” ?School Library Journal "Written in a fluid mix of slightly distant exposition and terse dialogue, the tale features plenty of suspenseful, expertly depicted hoops action along with choices both wrong and, ultimately, right made in the face of glittering temptations." ?Booklist

Never before published from the New York Times bestselling author Gillian is a PR expert hired to smooth out the…rough edges on hot- headed sports club president Drew Black. He's rough, raw and ready for any challenge Gillian throws his way. But which one's going to end up on top?

Kakapo is crazy about karate. No student at her dojo tries harder or practices more. She loves the blocks, the…strikes, the stances. And she especially loves the super-fast kicks: the running kicks, the jumping kicks, the side kicks ... but no amount of practice can help her conquer the elusive flying kick. You see, kakapos can't fly. Despite this, Kakapo works hard on everything else to perfect her skills. She has earned every belt from yellow to green to blue to red. And now it's time for the most difficult karate challenge of all: the black belt test. Kakapo is ready. After all, she has practiced as much as any bird could and mastered all the moves. Except that one, of course. But surely the senseis won't ask her to do a flying kick. Will they? Loredana Cunti's adorable Kakapo discovers (with a little help from a kind teacher!) that sometimes seeing a problem from a different perspective can help you solve it. It's a wonderful model for children facing obstacles in their own lives, and a great example of a growth mindset. It aligns with social studies lessons on self-awareness and personal development. Award-winning cartoonist Stacy Curtis's illustrations of a kakapo doing karate are hilarious and full of energy, and just might inspire some new students of karate (or other martial arts). The art was reviewed by a karate expert to ensure the moves are accurately portrayed. This playful and funny picture book is perfect for storytime. It also makes a great choice for character education lessons on self-discipline and perseverance.

An exciting new middle reader series from a debut author. All twelve-year-old Jaden wants to do is be the best…at Cross Ups, the video game he and his friends can’t stop playing. He knows he could be—if only he didn’t have to hide his gaming from his mom, who’s convinced it will make him violent. After an epic match leads to an invitation to play in a top tournament, Jaden and his friends Devesh and Hugh hatch a plan to get him there. But Jaden’s strict parents and annoying siblings, not to mention a couple of bullies and his confusing feelings for his next-door neighbor Cali, keep getting in the way! Tournament Trouble marks the first book in a planned series by Sylv Chiang, a captivating new voice in middle reader fiction. With sharp dialogue and relatable characters, it chronicles the ups and downs of middle school with a relevant, contemporary twist. Accompanied by Connie Choi’s lively illustrations, Tournament Trouble invites readers into Jaden’s world, and will leave them eagerly awaiting his next adventure. Look for Book 2, coming in Fall 2018!

Practice makes . . . a perfect storm?The Ice Chips are facing a big hurdle at their hometown rink in…Riverton. Their biggest rivals, the Stars, have a major advantage, with better gear and a state-of-the-art arena. Without more ice time, the Chips just can’t keep up. Fortunately, the team has a secret weapon: their magical rink, which allows them to travel through time and meet their hockey heroes, who can teach the young players something new about the game.Lucas Finnigan and his teammates have been warned that time travel is dangerous, but when they decided to leap again—hoping to find a way to squeeze in some extra practice—they never dreamed that they would land in the middle of a hurricane! Luckily, a major save from a plucky young player gets the Chips out of some extremely troubled water, and soon they’re running drills all over the Halifax Citadel. But how will these exercises help their hockey playing? And who is this kid anyway? With the help of some of the city’s famous spirits, the players might just make it home ready to compete—and to win.

Imagination meets reality in this poetic and tender ode to childhood, illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner, John Rocco. Every year,…a boy and his family go camping at Mountain Pond. Usually, they see things like an eagle fishing for his dinner, a salamander with red spots on its back, and chipmunks that come to steal food while the family sits by the campfire. But this year is different. This year, the boy is going into first grade, and his mother is encouraging him to do things on his own, just like his older brother. And the most different thing of all . . . this year, a tiger comes to the woods. With lyrical prose and dazzling art, Pulitzer Prize finalist Susan Choi and Caldecott-honor winning artist John Rocco have created a moving and joyful ode to growing up.

In the days of Roch’s childhood, winters in the village of Ste. Justine were long. Life centered around school, church,…and the hockey rink, and every boy’s hero was Montreal Canadiens hockey legend Maurice Richard. Everyone wore Richard’s number 9. They laced their skates like Richard. They even wore their hair like Richard. When Roch outgrows his cherished Canadiens sweater, his mother writes away for a new one. Much to Roch’s horror, he is sent the blue and white sweater of the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, dreaded and hated foes to his beloved team. How can Roch face the other kids at the rink?

A car accident injures her parents and paralyzes Janine from the waist down. Her best friend and teammate urges Janine…to look into sledge hockey. At first dismissing the sport as being just for the disabled, Janine agrees to play if her friend does too. They both learn that sledge hockey is an accessible sport, with fiercely competitive players, requiring a strength and skill set all its own. Adapting to her new life, Janine meets frustration at every turn. Soon her experiences lead her to speak up about the seeming invisibility of disabled people and their rights, taking her cause all the way to the professional hockey arena.Based on Steven Sandor's real-life experience and research, this story tracks the emotional and physical challenges a young teen faces when first dealing with disability.

Audrey Lee is going to the Olympics. A year ago, she could barely do a push up as she recovered…from a spine surgery, one that could have paralyzed her. And now? She's made the United States' gymnastics team with her best friend, Emma, just like they've both dreamed about since they were kids. She's on top of the world. The pressure for perfection is higher than ever when horrifying news rips the team apart. Audrey is desperate to advocate for her teammate who has been hurt by the one person they trusted most-but not all the gymnasts are as supportive. With the team on the verge of collapse, the one bright spot in training is Leo, her new coach's ridiculously cute son. And while Audrey probably (okay, definitely) shouldn't date him until after the games, would it really be the end of the world? Balancing the tenuous relationship between her teammates with unparalleled expectations, Audrey doesn't need any more distractions. No matter what it takes, she's not going to let anyone bring them down. But with painful revelations, incredible odds, and the very real possibility of falling at every turn, will Audrey's determination be enough?

Puppy games! Spot loves chasing and catching baseballs. Spot tries to play with a big branch but it is too…heavy. Spot meets a beautiful butterfly. Spot explores the woods. Stories by Marileta Robinson and Highlights for Children

Let's shoot some hoops! Devin learns how important it is to be consistent when practicing three-point shots. Jordan gets intimidated…by another player's size. Can Jordan defend against him? Tara feels the pressure to successfully make three foul shots and win the game for her team. Stories by Rich Wallace